SBIR Phase I: Advanced Electrospray Atomization and Space Charge Modeling for Electrohydrodynamic Wind Energy Conversion

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段的研究项目将支持开发一个商业上可行的电流体动力风能转换系统，通过开发的科学基础，设计一个高效的带电液滴发生器。电流体动力风能转换（EHD-WEC）是利用逆电压梯度驱动的带电粒子从风产生电力的非基于涡轮机的手段。最少的移动部件和基本的简单性使EHD-WEC比机械同类产品更轻，更便宜。存在应用最近开发的有效液滴产生装置的机会，例如先进的电喷雾和基于MEMS的电喷雾喷嘴的微制造，以及实时系统控制，以制造具有显著正的净能量平衡的系统。基于可再生、非化石燃料的发电方法受到全世界的关注。由于人口增长和新兴经济体的发展，预计电力需求将稳步上升。与此同时，石油和其他化石燃料的价格预计将上升，因为现有供应受到压力。此外，人们对碳中性能源有着广泛的兴趣。如果EHD-WEC能够显著降低风力发电成本的潜力得以实现，其更广泛的影响将是全球性的;为世界提供可再生能源，并创造许多新的能源。绿色？这将有助于减少美国对外国化石燃料供应商的依赖。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I research project will support development of a commercially viable electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion system by developing the science base for design of a high-efficiency charged droplet generator. Electro-hydrodynamic wind energy conversion (EHD-WEC) is a non-turbine based means of producing electricity from wind employing charged particles driven against a voltage gradient. A minimum of moving parts and fundamental simplicity gives EHD-WEC the potential to be disruptively lighter and cheaper than its mechanical counterparts. The opportunity exists to apply recently developed efficient droplet generation means, such as advanced electrospray and MEMS-based microfabrication of electrospray nozzles, as well as real-time system controls, to craft a system with significantly positive net energy balance. Renewable, non-fossil fuel based approaches to electrical generation are of interest worldwide. Demand for electricity is projected to rise steadily due to population growth and development in emerging economies. Simultaneously the price of oil and other fossil fuels is projected to rise as pressure is put on existing supplies. In addition, there is widespread interest in carbon neutral energy sources. If EHD-WEC's potential to significantly lower the cost of generating electricity from wind can be realized, the broader impacts will be global in nature; providing the world with a renewable source of energy, and creating many new ?green? jobs in the US, as well as reducing national dependence on foreign fossil fuel providers.